title: Study to develop a waiting list prioritization score for varicose vein surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to develop a clear-cut, objective system for prioritization of patients on the waiting list for varicose vein surgery, to enable organization of access to the health service.
  
  
  METHODS
  During earlier phases, we selected which variables should be taken into account for the prioritization scale, such as clinical presentation, varicose vein size, complications, work situation, and influence on quality of life. In the last phase, to determine the relative weight of each variable, structured surveys (personal interviews or by e-mail) were performed of the convenience samples from the groups related to the healthcare process, including patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The structured survey we utilized was administered to a sample of 762 subjects that included 290 patients, 99 relatives, 179 general practitioners, 32 nurses, and 162 vascular surgeons. The final score included clinical manifestations (46.1% of relative importance), size of the varicose veins (8.2%), complications (18.3%), influence on quality of life (18.2%), and aggravating work factors (9.2%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prioritization system agreed upon by all the groups involved could allow for objective and transparent prioritization and lead to the rationalization of access to varicose vein surgery for patients on the waiting list.
authors.affiliation: Angiology, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Vascular Biology and Inflammation Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical Research (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: sbellmunt@santpau.cat.
authors.forename: Sergi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bellmunt Montoya
authors.affiliation: Angiology, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sirvent González
authors.affiliation: Angiology, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Hospital de Sabadell, Corporació Sanitaria i Universitària Parc Taulí, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Florit López
authors.affiliation: Angiology, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Vascular Biology and Inflammation Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical Research (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Jaume
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dilmé Muñoz
authors.affiliation: Angiology, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Hospital de Sabadell, Corporació Sanitaria i Universitària Parc Taulí, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giménez Gaibar
authors.affiliation: Angiology, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Vascular Biology and Inflammation Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical Research (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: José Román
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Escudero Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006292:Health Priorities; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D014850:Waiting Lists